Reading; Liz Magor, Gabriel Orozco, Ecology Without Nature, Jane Bennet, James Young

I have a tendency to get overwhelmed by my brain going 100mph, I have learnt over the last year that I do need to give myself breather weeks to refocus, develop ideas, discard ideas that are not working, and get to grips with research and critical theory.

For HACS; discussing cultural appropriation

https://youtu.be/9kFKzzqq7i8 Cultural Appropriation whose problem is it? BBC

James Young (2005) Profound Offense and Cultural Appropriation

Essay Research; I am using the essay to get to grips with my interpretation of two artists whose work feels linked to what I am interested in, and that I want to understand the context of better and think about the works in more depth. By applying the HACs subject that I feel most applicable to my work I can investigate theirs using critical theory which in turn I can apply to my own thinking and artworks. Providing a theoretical background to my working method. 

Timothy Morton. (2007) Ecology Without Nature

https://youtu.be/PZu6sU1G0Tg  Artist Talk; Gabriel Orozco and Benjamin Buchloh at the Guggenheim Discussing his project Asterisms.

https://vimeo.com/29535247 Jane Bennett. Powers of the Hoard: Artistry and Agency in a World of Vibrant Matter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uPL-uHhgWc Liz Magor 2015

Ann Temkin (2009) Gabriel Orozco ; Introduction

Foster et al. (2004) Art since 1900; Modernism, Antimodernism, Postmodernism. 2007

Using this research I am thinking about several things; Consumption, Value of Objects, Value of labour, Obsolescence, Nature/Post-nature, Our place, nature as 'the other' and how it isn't 'the other', Idealised Nature, Objects, Objects as a being, Treasures, Memories, Vibrant Objects, Hoarding (and my experience of this), How I see object vibrancy, Thingyness. 

I have always made collections and groupings and I am pretty obsessed with 'things'. This is not necessarily or perhaps not at all consumptive. As Jane Bennet describes, 'things call to me'. In my studio and to be honest all over my house, I have collections. Glass from Conwy beach, Glass from Fishponds brook, Pottery from the brook, fabric, wool, wall paper, tester pots, shells, art works, bags, ceramics, knitting needles (unpaired), etc etc. And this is controlled somewhat by a minimalist partner. I worry that if left alone it would get out of control, I hold on to packaging I like, carrier bags, I have my found list collection, envelopes with interesting insides... it goes on and on.

They have value to me, and always this word 'potential'. I would really like to go through everything and use it for its potential (usually art making) BUT with serious reference to critical theory.